Wednesday, July 19, 2017

This is the last block in the Sewcial Bee Sampler(a fun online sew along), hosted by Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell! The block for this week is Prairie Queen(for the free download to make this or the previous blocks, visit Maureen's or Sharon's blog).

Block 25 is Prairie Queen, in the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew along

Woohoo! Super excited to finish the final block in the sew along and to have made each block using my scraps. I have had great fun going through my scrap stash and playing with lots of bright, happy colours as well as a myriad of low volume fabrics for my backgrounds. My plan is to continue to use low volume scraps to make the sashing for my blocks, which I know will take a bit more time and consideration than using a single fabric. However, I wanted this quilt to come completely from my stash and I'm looking forward to seeing how I can mix more low volume fabrics into the finish. ;o)

Although all the blocks are now finished, the sew along is not over with just yet! Sharon and Maureen will continue to guide us through the completion of our quilts. I'm looking forward to not only turning my blocks into a quilt, but also seeing all the other participants' quilts made from the SBS blocks. I really can't believe how quickly the weeks passed and how much I anticipated the release of each week's block! What a wonderful sew along that I am happy to have joined!

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

This is the second to the last block in the Sewcial Bee Sampler(a fun online sew along), hosted by Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell! The block for this week is Crosses and Losses (for the free download to make this or the previous blocks, visit Maureen's or Sharon's blog).

Block 24 of 25 is Crosses and Losses

Only one more block left in the sew along! The weeks have passed more quickly, I think, with a new block to look forward to and I can hardly believe that we are nearing the end.

Summer here has been one for the record books with it's string of hot, dry days. Ironic, after the record breaking flooding we had this Spring. Sadly, this also means that we are now dealing with wildfires across the province. I love the wild beauty of this province, and it's always sobering to realize the danger that exists when a combination of factors (such as extreme heat and a random spark - via Nature or mankind) come together. Thankfully, at this point,we only have poor air quality locally, which is due to the smoke from the various fires. However, it is a very real reminder of the wildfire experience we lived through in 2003, when we were among those evacuated from our (then) home. We were among the lucky to have a home to return to, while homes within a kilometre of ours were destroyed. I feel for all those with homes, businesses and lives being changed by the wildfires happening now. There is a very surreal quality to such an experience. Sometimes it is easy to forget how quickly life can change and that we are not in control of all aspects of life. I am hoping that the weather will bring rain (no lightning!!) and for the winds to die down so that these fires can be contained and no further losses are incurred.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Counting down the last three blocks in The Sewcial Bee Sampler(a fun online sew along), hosted by Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell! The block for this week is Friendship Star. (for the free download to make this or the previous blocks, visit Maureen's or Sharon's blog).

Summer is in full swing here - our temperatures have been over thirty degrees Celsius with the promise of reaching +40 Celsius by the end of this week! Looks like the weather has affected my colour selection for this week's block. ;o)

Block 23 of 25 in the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew along

This week's block was one of the simpler ones to make and for my version I decided to reverse placement of background (in my case, the low volume fabrics) and the main colour. This allowed for some fun fussy cutting of a wee owl for the center of my block, as a focal point in the design. It was a complete accident that my owl looks like he has a tuft of feathers on his head, thanks to the print used above him, but I love the results! Since this block finishes so small, I decided that I would select low volume fabrics that contain lots of yellow to use for the borders, in hopes to keep this simple block from looking undersized next to the others in this sampler.

If you've been following me along this sampler making journey, you know that this is my second yellow block in my rainbow, scrappy version! Any guesses for the colour(s) for next week's block?

I can't sing the praises of this sew along enough! Please visitMaureen's blog and Sharon's blog for all the details in joining this fun, sew-at-your-own-pace, virtual sew along! It doesn't matter if you're new to quilting or if you're experienced - this sew along is geared to be fun and manageable for all skill levels. The best part is the community of support you will be a part of! It's unbelievable - truly makes it so enjoyable! If you're on Instagram, you can find all the inspiring blocks that are being made shared under the tag #sewcialbeesampler - although I will warn you, it will be difficult to resist joining in, once you see so many beautiful versions.